Education Minister’s Model School initiative gains momentum

Excelsior Correspondent

Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar interacting with kids during his visit to a school on Saturday.
Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar interacting with kids during his visit to a school on Saturday.

SRINAGAR, July 11: The University of Kashmir today announced to formally adopt four Government schools in Hazratbal area and develop them as Model Schools, a pioneering concept flagged by the Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar.
This was announced by Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Khurshid Andrabi during the visit of the Education Minister to the area today.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Akhtar said various new concepts have been introduced over the past few months to give new directions to the education system in the State. He said the concept of Model Schools and Smart Classes is a part of the same initiative.
He said the Central University Kashmir has also been asked to adopt at least four schools in Ganderbal and Budgam districts and develop them as Model Educational Institutions. He said similarly National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and other such institutions have also agreed to adopt cluster of schools in their respective catchment areas.
The Minister said that University of Jammu, Central University Jammu and other institutions have also agreed to adopt schools in their catchment areas for overall development.
Enumerating on the concept of Model Schools, Akhtar said under the initiative some existing schools are proposed to be converted into Model Schools. The Higher Secondary School that is chosen to be the Model School will be the focal point for monitoring quality of education in a cluster of schools of the level of High Schools, Middle Schools and Primary Schools that are feeding schools providing elementary education to the children, he said and added that the Principal of the Model School will have supervisory powers over all the schools in the cluster.
He said by adopting the Model School system we will be able to produce students at par with reputed public schools. He said we have to build a new building out of debris, adding that there is no dearth of efficient and qualified teaching staff in the Government schools.
The Minister said that it was not only heartening but encouraging to note how people across the board have started acknowledging the transformation taking place in the State’s educational sector.
Mr. Naeem also visited Orange International Play School, Ellahi Bagh where pre-schooling of 200 kids is being made by a private entrepreneur. The Minster went around the different rooms of the school and interacted with the kids. The Minister was informed that the parents of these kids can see their wards online. The Minister was informed that the school has US based curriculum.
Earlier, the Minister visited Rathpora, Eidgah to see how a local youth who is the pass-out of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts is blending his artistic works into Kashmiri carpets to create attractive designs.